School of Music

University of Southern Maine School of Music Announces 2013 Fall Season

Posted August 23, 2013

GORHAM, Maine – Stephen King’s horror classic, “CARRIE the musical” will get its Maine premiere this November, one of the many highlights of the 2013 fall season of the University of Southern Maine (USM) School of Music.

Among this season’s exciting features are the season-opening tribute concert to the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble; an evening of rock and pop songs deconstructed and reimagined into new jazz standards; and a high school choral invitational in which students from Gorham, Westbrook, South Portland, Scarborough, Freeport and Newcastle’s Lincoln Academy will join the USM University Chorale and Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra to perform what are known as the greatest unfinished masterpieces of all time.

“This fall season has an event for everyone,” said Alan Kaschub, USM School of Music director. “The breadth and depth of the fall season at the USM School of Music are a tremendous example of how a university can enlighten, entertain, educate and serve the community.

“We are thrilled to invite the community to hear what is happening and to take advantage of what we have to offer,” Kaschub continued. “We will engage youth directly through both our youth ensembles and our Mozart ‘Requiem’ collaboration. We will shock with ‘CARRIE the musical’ and soothe with Brahms.”

The fall season offers a wide variety of genres that everyone can enjoy, from favored classics to innovative jazz to popular rock to world music. Among the featured composers will be John Cage, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Zoltán Kodály, Mozart and Schubert. The USM Composers Ensemble will present the Indian and world music of Srinivas Krishnan, contemporary Indian master percussionist, and the Faculty Jazz Ensemble will dazzle audiences with jazz-infused John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and Radiohead. Just in time for Halloween weekend, the Maine premiere of “CARRIE the musical” is set to a score of thrilling rock songs.

Several guest artists will visit the USM Gorham campus for performances and master classes. The lineup includes Andrew Pelletier, alumnus and Grammy Award-winner on the French horn; Bridget Convey, acclaimed pianist; Delores Ziegler, world-renowned mezzo-soprano; Scott Reeves, City College of New York faculty member on trombone; Sayuri Miyamoto, award-winning pianist; Srinivas Krishnan, master Indian percussionist; and Arjun Chandy, heralded Indian singer and vocal coach.

2013 Fall Season At a Glance

All events are open to the public and take place in the Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Avenue, Gorham, unless otherwise noted.

September

Maine-ly British Brass: A Tribute to the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the London Brass8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13 To commemorate a British trumpeter and his unique brass ensemble, Betty Rines, USM trumpet faculty member, has once again assembled top-of-the-line professional brass musicians for this season-opening tribute concert. Come hear the best of the USM faculty and alumni, conducted by Peter Martin, USM professor of Music.Ticket A

Pianist Bridget Convey Performs John Cage8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20As a soloist and ensemble musician, pianist Bridget Convey has been heard throughout the U.S. performing music of diverse periods and styles. In celebration of the 101st anniversary of the birth of the influential composer John Cage, Convey will perform the complete "Sonatas and Interludes" for prepared piano. The performance will feature a visual premiere by video artist Hillary Tozier.Ticket A

Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 On The Green outside of Corthell Hall, USM Gorham Campus (In case of rain: Brooks Student Center) The 11th annual Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert kicks off with a barbecue picnic at noon, available at old-fashioned prices! Bring the whole family, the lawn chairs, and an appetite for an old New England experience, conducted by Peter Martin, USM professor of Music.This performance is sponsored by ARAMARK.Free

October

Master Class with Delores Ziegler, mezzo-soprano 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 American mezzo-soprano Delores Ziegler has been heralded as "the mezzo we have been waiting for" by the “Los Angeles Times.” Her career takes her to every major theater in the world and into collaboration with the great directors and conductors of our time.Free

The Beautiful B's: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18 Laura Kargul, USM professor of Music and director of Keyboard Studies, will perform some of the most dazzling works written for piano by the hallowed "Three Bs." Thrilling and enthralling, Beethoven's “Waldstein Sonata” and Brahms' “Variations on a Theme by Handel” incorporate pyrotechnical techniques that rival those of Chopin and Liszt. Rounding out the Bs, Kargul will delight with two preludes and fugues from Bach’s “Well-Tempered Clavier,” Book I. This performance is sponsored by Dr. Dahlia and Arthur L. Handman. Ticket A

USM Wind Ensemble2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20The USM Wind Ensemble, conducted by Peter Martin, USM professor of Music, is an acclaimed collection of students who have established a tradition of performing both traditional and experimental combinations. In this performance, they will exemplify the latter. The ensemble will perform two pieces written by John Mackey, contemporary American composer, one of which includes a surprise visual element.Ticket B

Jazz Master Class with Scott Reeves 2:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25Scott Reeves, a former USM School of Music faculty member, is an associate professor of Music at The City College of New York and a Juilliard School of Music faculty member. He also is the author of jazz improvisation texts, a noted performer, recording artist and clinician.Free

An Evening of Brahms, Kodály and Others 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25 William Rounds, USM artist faculty cellist, is a member of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and plays frequently with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Sayuri Miyamoto, an award-winning pianist, will accompany Rounds.Ticket A

A Concert of Indian and World Music 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26 After an outstanding collaboration in 2012, Srinivas Krishnan, Indian master percussionist, will make his second appearance with the USM Composers Ensemble. Arjun Chandy, Indian vocal coach and singer, will join Krishnan, who is a frequent collaborator with Indian composer A. R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”). Krishnan and Chandy will work with the USM Composers Ensemble under the direction of Dan Sonenberg, USM associate professor of Music and resident composer, and will perform pieces from Krishnan’s repertoire.Free

November

“CARRIE the musical”The Maine Premiere!8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3Based on the novel by Stephen KingMusic by Michael Gore; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford; Book by Lawrence D. Cohen Directed by Edward ReichertMusical Direction by Kellie Moody Corthell Concert Hall comes alive with the newly reworked version of this gripping tale set in present-day Maine. Carrie White is a misfit teen. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd. At home, she’s at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over-protective mother. But Carrie soon discovers she has a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.This cult prom-queen musical is the perfect recipe of exciting, subversive and provoking fare for Halloween weekend. “There’s never been a musical like her!” This production is sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution. Ticket A

The New Standard8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15 Back in the heyday of jazz, innovative artists turned to the music of Gershwin, Porter, and Arlen for their inspiration. The resulting style is what is now known as "the jazz standard." Today’s jazz musicians draw inspiration from contemporary rock and popular music. Brent LaCasce, USM faculty member in Vocal Jazz, and the USM Faculty Jazz Ensemble will present their version of “The New Standard,” deconstructing and reimagining the music of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and Radiohead, to name a few.Ticket A

High School Choral InvitationalUnfinished Masterpieces: Schubert's “Unfinished Symphony”and Mozart's “Requiem”8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16 Merrill Auditorium, PortlandThe Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lehman, USM associate professor and director of String Studies and Orchestral Activities, and the University Chorale, conducted by Robert Russell, USM professor of Music, will host a magnificent concert featuring several area high school chorus groups. Performing with the University Chorale will be high school students from the following towns: Gorham, Westbrook, South Portland, Scarborough, Freeport and Newcastle’s Lincoln Academy.This performance is sponsored by Macpage LLC and Murray, Plumb & Murray.$15/$10 suggested donation at the door; open seating.

USM Jazz Ensemble 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21The USM Jazz Ensemble is a student group that epitomizes big band sound, working under the direction of Christopher Oberholtzer, USM professor of Music and director of Jazz Studies. The ensemble will perform traditional swing music, as well as innovative compositions and arrangements. Ticket B

USM Vocal Jazz Ensembles 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22The USM Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a chamber-sized group of students who work under the direction of Brent LaCasce, USM faculty member in Vocal Jazz. The ensemble will perform intricate arrangements of jazz standards, as well as pieces written specifically for vocal jazz ensembles. Per the ensemble’s custom, the performance will include improvised vocal solos.Ticket B

USM Opera Workshop 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23 Each semester, students studying Musical Theatre join the USM Opera Workshop and work under the direction of Ellen Chickering, USM professor of Voice. The group will perform in costume, featuring a variety of pieces from well-known operas, along with piano accompaniment. Ticket B

December

Joyous Sounds for a Festive Season7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3 Williston-Immanuel United Church, PortlandThe USM Chamber Singers is the university’s premiere a capella ensemble. The group will perform a variety of holiday classics in their spirited annual tradition, conducted by Robert Russell, USM professor of Music.This performance is sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.$12 suggested donation at the door; open seating

23rd Annual Scholarship GalaLa Stagione della Luce Veneziana: A Venetian Season of Light5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6 Abromson Community Education Center, USM Portland campusA glittering return to the warmth of the holiday season! Enjoy an elegant evening in support of scholarships for USM School of Music students. A Venetian Season of Light includes hors d'oeuvres, champagne, a festive holiday banquet and tableside serenading. Along with live performances from USM’s acclaimed student ensembles, the gala features a centerpiece concert and live auction.The gala is sponsored by Portland Volvo.Reservations are required; $90 per person; $150 per person to enroll on the Host Committee. For tickets and information, call Binney Brackett at (207) 780-5003 or email brackett@usm.maine.edu.

USM Composers Showcase Concert8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7The USM Composers Ensemble is a group of students who work collaboratively to create original music under the direction of Dan Sonenberg, USM associate professor of Music and resident composer. A semester of writing and rehearsing culminates with this final Showcase Concert, which will feature completely original work.Free

Graduate Showcase Concert2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8Current USM School of Music graduate students will be featured in solo performances under the direction of Ellen Chickering, USM professor of Voice.Free